COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
Office of the Governor

Timothy M. Kaine                                         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     Governor                                                          March 23, 2007

Contact: Kevin Hall                                              Hollie S. Cammarasana/DHCD
Phone:                   (804) 225-4260                                                    (804) 371-7006

Cell Phone:           (804) 393-9406                                                    (804) 519-3540
Internet:                www.governor.virginia.gov
                        www.dhcd.virginia.gov

GOVERNOR KAINE RECOMMENDS $2.2 MILLION IN APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION FUNDING FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA PROJECTS

~Funds promote economic development, healthcare, workforce programs~

 

RICHMONDGovernor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that he has recommended nearly $2.2 million in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding for 17 projects in Southwest Virginia. The funds will help support cultural programs and tourism, build community infrastructure, and promote entrepreneurship and workforce development.

"I am pleased to recommend these important grants to the ARC for funding," said Governor Kaine.  "These federal dollars have been an important resource for expanding educational and economic opportunities in Southwest Virginia.  These ARC grants are targeted to programs that help create new and better jobs, along with a trained and ready workforce."

"These grants focus on many areas key to the development of a healthy and thriving community," said Bill Shelton, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), which implements the ARC program for the state.  "Workforce development, health care improvements and water and infrastructure improvements, as well as cultural and tourism attractions, are all part of a comprehensive mix designed to strengthen the Appalachian Community.  We are dedicated to working with our local partners to start working on these projects and realize the mission of the ARC."

ARC Area Development Grants are dedicated to support infrastructure improvements, entrepreneurship support and workforce development, and Asset-Based Development Initiative (ABD) funds are designed to address the leveraging of cultural, natural, community, structural, and economic assets.

2007 ARC Area Development Grant Funding:

Applicant - Project

Award

Mountain Empire Community College - Building Economic Development Competitiveness Through Workforce Development in Electromechanical Technology

$99,969

Scott County Economic Development Authority - Daniel Boone Interpretive Center

$400,000

Southwest Virginia Community College  -  Medical Laboratory Technology Training Program

$100,000

Town of Clintwood  -  Longs Fork Sewer Project

$500,000

Smyth-Washington Industrial Facility Authority  -  Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing

$25,000

Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority   -  New River Valley Community Broadband Network

$100,000

Alleghany County  -  East-Alleghany County Wastewater System Improvement Project and Route 727 Bridge Replacement Project

$500,000

Blue Ridge Music Center  -  Blue Ridge Music Center Program Development 

$  60,000

'Round The Mountain  -  Southwest Virginia Virtual Artisan Project

$  45,000

Tazewell County Board of Supervisors  -  Pocahontas  -  Northern Tazewell County

$175,479

University of Virginia's College at Wise - Healthy Appalachia

$  21,950

TOTAL

$2,027,398

 2007 ARC Asset-Based Development Initiative Funding

Applicant - Project

Award

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association  -  Wilderness Road Blockhouse Interpretive Center

$30,000

Carter Family Memorial Music Center  -  Museum Director for the Carter Family Memorial Music Center

$30,000

Youth Outreach of Buchanan County  -  PICK – Playing Instruments Changes Kids

$20,000

Birthplace of Country Music Alliance  -  Birthplace of Country Music E-Commerce

$  5,000

Roanoke Valley/Alleghany Regional Commission  -  Greater Alleghany Highlands Region Tourism Trail Concept Development

$25,000

Town of Pulaski  -  Virginia's Nanotechnology Park – Planning           

$40,000

TOTAL

$150,000

The ARC consists of 13 states, including Virginia, and provides funding and support to foster economic development and improve the quality of life for the country's Appalachian citizens. Through a competitive grant process, DHCD recommends eligible grantees to receive ARC funding for projects within Virginia's Appalachian region, which encompasses 23 counties and seven independent cities in Southwest Virginia.

DHCD works with the ARC and grantees to finalize the grant process and initiate the projects proposed.  For more information about the ARC program or the grant recommendations listed below, contact DHCD at (804) 371-7000 or visit: www.dhcd.virginia.gov .

 

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